Storage container

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a storage container for at least one portable electronic apparatus including a circumferential side wall and a bottom wall connected thereto for forming a main receiving space of the storage container as well as a lid construction for closing the main receiving space, wherein at least one additional receiving space accessible from the outside and substantially closed with respect to the main receiving space is formed in the lid construction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/685,199, filed on Mar. 27, 2019, the entire contents thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storage container for at least one portable electronic apparatus including a circumferential side wall and a bottom wall connected thereto for forming a main receiving space of a main receiving area of the storage container as well as a lid construction for closing the main receiving space. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use for such a storage container.

Such storage containers are known in a great plurality. In particular, these storage containers are so-called protective envelopes for portable electronic apparatuses such as for example mobile phones, music players or corresponding charging stations for electronic apparatuses operated by means of accumulators. Therein, these storage containers enclose the corresponding electronic apparatus in envelope-like manner and usually are composed of a flexible, impact-resistant silicone material. The danger of unintended destructions of the electronic apparatuses for example upon dropping these apparatuses is considerably reduced by such storage containers. For example, these silicone envelopes are used for storing chargers for cordless headphones. Corresponding headphones are for example known under the name “AirPod”.

However, it is disadvantageous in the known storage devices, in particular the storage devices of silicone, that additional elements such as for example replacement parts for the electronic apparatus received in the storage device or also accessory elements cannot be additionally received due to the restriction of the receiving space of the known receiving devices. Namely, the receiving space of the known receiving devices is configured such that exclusively the electronic apparatuses provided thereto can be received since the exterior shape of the electronic apparatus substantially corresponds to the shape of the corresponding receiving space. Therefore, additional elements have to be transported in separate storage containers or in an additional storage box receiving the storage device of the electronic apparatus and the accessory to the storage device. This is relatively cumbersome for the user and causes a relatively large space requirement.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a generic storage container and the use thereof, which ensures improved possibilities for simultaneous storage of portable electronic apparatuses and corresponding accessory parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A storage container as well as a use of a corresponding storage container of the present invention serve for solving these objects. Advantageous configurations of the storage container according to the invention and the use according to the invention are described in detail below. Therein, advantageous configurations of the storage container are to be regarded as advantageous configurations of the use of the storage container and vice versa.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a storage container for at least one portable electronic apparatus including a circumferential side wall and a bottom wall connected thereto for forming a main receiving space of the receiving container as well as a lid construction for closing the main receiving space. Therein, at least one additional receiving space accessible from the outside and substantially closed with respect to the main receiving space is formed in the lid construction. By the configuration of the lid construction according to the invention with the additional receiving space, there is advantageously the possibility that further elements such as for example accessory elements of the electronic apparatus can be received and transported in one and the same storage container. The construction according to the invention allows that the storage container can be overall kept relatively small Furthermore, only one single storage container is required for storing the electronic apparatus as well as further elements.

Therein, the portable electronic apparatus can be a mobile phone, a music player such as for example a so-called MP3 player or a charging station of an electronic apparatus such as for example a charging station of a mobile phone, a charging station of cordless headphones or other electronic apparatuses comprising at least one chargeable accumulator for current supply. The additional receiving space of the lid construction can be formed for receiving accessory elements of the corresponding portable electronic apparatus as already mentioned. Therein, the accessory element can be a replacement part of the electronic apparatus, a retaining and positioning element of a headphone and/or an electronic and/or electrical element connectable to a charging station for accumulators storable in the storage container. Thus, besides a charging apparatus for cordless headphones, the corresponding retaining and positioning elements attachable to the headphone for better retention and better positioning of the headphones within the ear can also be stored. In particular with relatively small elements, the additional receiving space of the lid construction offers a secure and comfortably operable receiving place. However, not only accessory elements for the electronic apparatus, but also other elements are understood by accessory elements, which have to be stored and transported. They can for example be portable lamps, coins or bills or also cosmetic articles such as for example lipsticks and the like.

In further advantageous configurations of the storage container according to the invention, the lid construction comprises a circumferential first side wall as well as an inner first lid wall connected thereto, wherein the first lid wall is formed such that it substantially closes the additional receiving space with respect to the main receiving space. Therein, by the term “substantially closes” or “substantially closed”, it is to be understood that a barrier is formed between the main receiving space and the additional receiving space, namely such that the elements arranged in the additional receiving space cannot fall into the main receiving space. However, embodiments are also to be understood by the mentioned terms, in which the inner first lid wall for example comprises a perforation, to for example allow ventilation of the main receiving space. Mesh-like separations are also conceivable. In addition, correspondingly small openings in the inner first lid wall can ensure that upon closing the lid construction, the air resistance occurring therein is reduced. In addition, the lid construction can comprise a circumferential second side wall and a second lid wall connected thereto for forming the additional receiving space. In order to make the lid construction accessible from the outside, at least one receiving opening can be formed in the area of the second side wall and/or of the second lid wall. Therein, this receiving opening can be formed closable or non-closable. In addition, the lid construction can be connected to the side wall in pivotable or foldable manner, wherein this can for example be effected via at least one hinge flap, which connects the side wall to the lid construction. The above mentioned construction allows formation of the additional receiving space in the lid construction. The circumferential second side wall as well as the second lid wall connected thereto form the exterior shape or the outer circumference of the storage container in this area of the storage container. In the interior of the storage container, the main receiving space—as already set forth above—is separated with respect to the additional receiving space by the inner first lid wall. The lid construction according to the invention allows a relatively low constructional size of the storage container although it comprises the additional receiving space.

In further advantageous configurations of the storage container according to the invention, at least one opening is formed in the side wall and/or the bottom wall and/or the lid construction in the area of corresponding electrical or electronic terminals of the received electronic apparatus. Thereby, there is advantageously the possibility that the electronic apparatus such as for example a charging apparatus can be charged or a corresponding charging operation of an electronic apparatus can be performed also with corresponding storage in the storage container. Furthermore, there is the possibility that an exterior shape of the main receiving space and/or a shape of the receiving space formed by the inner first side wall and the first lid wall of the lid construction are formed such that they substantially correspond to the shape of an outer circumference of the electronic apparatus. Thereby, it is ensured that the storage container adapts to the electronic apparatus in envelope-like and close manner and securely stores it.

In further advantageous configurations of the storage container according to the invention, the side wall, the bottom wall and the lid construction are composed of an elastic material. The same can apply to the connecting elements between the lid construction and the side wall of the storage container. Therein, these elements can be composed of a silicone material or a plastic material. These materials cling to the outer circumference of the electronic apparatus and securely store it. In particular in using flexible and impact-resistant silicone material, a considerably improved protection with respect to damages arises, which would for example arise by dropping the electronic apparatus without storage container. In using an elastic material, there is also the possibility that the shape and/or a diameter of the receiving opening formed in the lid construction are variable by means of exertion of pressure on the lid construction. This means that separately formed closure mechanisms do not have to be formed for the receiving opening in this case. By exerting pressure, the diameter of the receiving opening can for example be increased such that corresponding elements can be introduced into the additional receiving space of the lid construction. After the pressure is no longer exerted, the original shape and the original diameter of the receiving opening, respectively, are again reached due to the elasticity of the material. Thereby, a corresponding closure of the additional receiving space results such that the element located within the additional receiving space can no longer fall out of it.

However, there is also the possibility that the silicone material or the plastic material is less elastically or flexibly formed. The use of rigid, non-flexible materials is also possible.

In a further advantageous configuration of the storage container according to the invention, it is integrally formed. Thereby, there is the possibility to simplify and accelerate the manufacturing procedure. In particular by corresponding injection molding and/or molding methods, the integral manufacture of the storage container is possible.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a storage container according to the first inventive aspect and its inventive use. Therein, at least the main receiving space of the storage container serves for storing at least one portable electronic apparatus and at least one accessory element is stored in the additional receiving space of the lid construction. Therein, the portable electronic apparatus can be a mobile phone, a music player such as for example an MP3 player or a charging station of a mobile phone, of cordless headphones or another electronic apparatus comprising at least one chargeable accumulator for current supply. The accessory element can be a replacement part of the electronic apparatus, a retaining and positioning element of a headphone and/or an electronic and/or electrical element connectable to a charging station for accumulators storable in the storage container. However, other elements such as for example non-electronic elements such as coins, bills, cosmetics or the like can also be stored in the additional receiving space of the lid construction. By the use according to the invention, the possibility of easy stowage and transport of an electronic apparatus including corresponding accessory elements or further elements mentioned above arises.

Further features and the advantages thereof can be taken from the descriptions of the first inventive aspect, wherein advantageous configurations of the first inventive aspect are to be regarded as advantageous configurations of the second inventive aspect and vice versa.

Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the embodiment as well as based on the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the embodiments are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematically illustrated lateral top view of a storage container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematically illustrated side view of the storage container according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional representation of the storage container according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematically illustrated top view to the lid construction of the storage container according to the invention according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematically illustrated top view to the bottom wall of the storage container according to the invention according to FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematically illustrated lateral top view to a storage container 10 for at least one portable electronic apparatus (not illustrated). Therein, the storage container 10 includes a circumferential side wall 12 and a bottom wall 14 connected thereto for forming a main receiving space 16 (compare FIG. 3). Furthermore, the storage container 10 includes a lid construction 18 for closing the main receiving space 16. One recognizes that the circumferential side wall 12 is formed integrally with the bottom wall 14 in the illustrated embodiment and forms a rounded transitional area. Furthermore, it becomes clear that the lid construction 18 is connected to the side wall 12 by means of a hinge flap 36. Thereby, the lid construction 18 is connected to the side wall 12 in pivotable and foldable manner. On the side of the storage container 10 opposing the hinge flap 36, a grip opening 32 is formed.

Furthermore, one recognizes that the lid construction 18 comprises a circumferential second side wall 26 and a second lid wall 28 connected thereto. The second side wall 26 as well as the second lid wall 28 are again formed integrally with each other and form a rounded transitional area. In the area of the second lid wall 28, an elongated formed receiving opening 30 is arranged. The lid construction 18 additionally comprises an additional receiving space 20 accessible from the outside via the receiving opening 30 and closed with respect to the main receiving space 16. Therein, the additional receiving space 20 is closed with respect to the main receiving space 16 by a first lid wall 24 (compare also FIG. 3).

The illustrated storage container is composed of a flexible, impact-resistant silicone material and thus overall forms a silicone envelope for the portable electronic apparatus to be received. Therein, the wall thicknesses can be 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters, in particular 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters. However, other thicknesses are also conceivable. Furthermore, the surface of the silicone material can be formed rough, corrugated, smooth or as a combination thereof. By the flexible configuration of the lid construction 18, it is possible that the receiving opening 30 can be changed in its shape and/or its diameter by means of exerting pressure on the lid construction 18. This means that the illustrated slit-shaped receiving opening 30 can for example be deformed such that the distance between the edge areas of the longitudinal slit is widened such that a corresponding item can be introduced into the additional receiving space 20 via the receiving opening 30. After introducing the item, the exertion of pressure on the lid construction 18 is aborted such that the receiving opening 30 can again assume its original shape and/or its original diameter. Thereby, secure storage of the items in the additional receiving space 20 results. In addition, the insertion and removal of the items from the receiving space 20 is simply and readily possible. There is also the possibility that separate closure mechanisms close the receiving opening 30 (not illustrated).

FIG. 2 shows a schematically illustrated side view of the storage container 10 according to FIG. 1. It becomes clear that the lid construction 18 is connected to the circumferential side wall 12 via the hinge flap 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage container 10 is integrally formed, that means that all of the elements of the storage container 10 can be manufactured, in particular molded, in one working step. However, there is also the possibility that the lid construction 18 and the circumferential side wall 12 forming the main receiving space 16 and the bottom wall 14 connected thereto are for example manufactured as separate elements. These separate elements are then connected to each other via a corresponding hinge connection.

Furthermore, FIG. 2 clearly shows the rounded shapes formed at the ends of the storage container 10. Furthermore, the configuration of the additional storage space 20 becomes clear, which is delimited with respect to the main receiving space 16 by means of the inner lid wall 24. With respect to the further features shown in the figure, we make reference to the description of FIG. 1. Therein, identical reference characters denote identical features.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional representation of the storage container 10 according to FIG. 1. One recognizes that the lid construction 18 comprises a circumferential first side wall 22 as well as the inner first lid wall 24 connected thereto. Therein, the first lid wall 24 is formed such that it closes the additional receiving space 20 with respect to the main receiving space 16. One recognizes that the inner lid wall 24 forms an arch-like receiving space 38 in the lid construction 18 together with the first side wall 22. Therein, the inner lid wall 24 serves as a bottom area for the additional receiving space 20, which is accessible via the receiving opening 30 in the area of the second lid wall 28.

Furthermore, it becomes clear that the main receiving space 16 and the receiving space 38 in the lid construction 18 overall form a contiguous receiving space for the portable electronic apparatus to be received. Therein, the exterior shape of the main receiving space 16 and/or the exterior shape of the receiving space 38 are usually formed such that they substantially or at least partially correspond to the shape of an outer circumference of the electronic apparatus to be received. Thereby, the storage container 10 can closely abut on the electronic apparatus such that it can be securely stored. In addition, a protective function arises thereby since the storage container 10 forms an additional envelope of the electronic apparatus. Therein, the portable electronic apparatus can be a mobile phone, a music player or a charging station of a mobile phone, a charging station of cordless headphones or a charging station of another electronic apparatus comprising at least one chargeable accumulator for current supply. The additional receiving space 20 of the lid construction 18 usually serves for receiving accessory elements for the portable electronic apparatus. They can for example be replacement parts of the electronic apparatus, retaining and positioning elements of a headphone and/or an electronic and/or electrical element connectable to a charging station for accumulators storable in the storage container 10. Such elements for example include lighting and signaling electrical elements. Of course, other elements can also be introduced in the additional receiving space 20, which are required by the user of the storage container 10. The configuration of the storage container 10 allows also transporting further elements such as accessory parts in one and the same storage device besides the actual electronic apparatus. In addition, the required space or space requirement is not substantially increased with respect to conventional storage containers such that the storage container 10 can also be relatively comfortably transported and handled.

Furthermore, one recognizes that openings 34 are formed at the side wall 12 and the bottom wall 14 in the area of corresponding electrical or electronic terminals of the received electronic apparatus. The grip opening 32 facilitates opening the storage container 10. With respect to the further features, we make reference to the description of figures of the preceding figures, wherein identical reference characters denote identical features.

FIG. 4 shows a schematically illustrated top view to the lid construction 18 of the storage container 10 according to FIG. 1. One again recognizes the slit-shaped configuration of the receiving opening 30 and the additional receiving space 20 located below. Furthermore, it becomes clear that the storage container 10 has a shape rounded at the ends also in cross-section. With respect to the further features, we make reference to the description of figures of the preceding figures, wherein identical reference characters denote identical features.

FIG. 5 shows a schematically illustrated top view to the bottom wall 14 of the storage container 10 according to FIG. 1. One recognizes the configuration of the opening 34, the shape of which is modeled on the corresponding shape of an electrical or electronic terminal. With respect to the further features, we make reference to the description of figures of the preceding figures, wherein identical reference characters denote identical features.

The storage container 10 in particular finds use for storing at least one portable electronic apparatus in at least the receiving space 16 as well as for storing at least one accessory element or the like in the additional receiving space 20 of the lid construction. Therein, the storage container 10 can be formed of one or more materials, in particular silicone materials or plastic materials.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented only as illustrations and examples of the present invention, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage container for at least one portable electronic apparatus, comprising: a circumferential side wall and a bottom wall connected thereto for forming a main receiving space of the storage container as well as a lid construction for closing the main receiving space, wherein at least one additional receiving space accessible from the outside and substantially closed with respect to the main receiving space is formed in the lid construction.
 2. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid construction comprises a circumferential first side wall as well as an inner first lid wall connected thereto, wherein the first lid wall is formed such that it substantially closes the additional receiving space with respect to the main receiving space.
 3. The storage container according to claim 2, wherein the lid construction comprises a circumferential second side wall and a second lid wall connected thereto for forming the additional receiving space.
 4. The storage container according to claim 3, wherein at least one receiving opening is formed in the area of the second side wall and/or of the second lid wall.
 5. The storage container according to claim 4, wherein the receiving opening is formed closable or non-closable.
 6. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid construction is connected to the side wall in pivotable and foldable manner.
 7. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid construction is connected to the side wall via at least one hinge flap.
 8. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein at least one opening is formed in the side wall and/or the bottom wall and/or the lid construction in the area of corresponding electrical or electronic terminals of the received electronic apparatus.
 9. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein an exterior shape of the main receiving space is formed such that they substantially correspond to the shape of an outer circumference of the electronic apparatus.
 10. The storage container according to claim 2, wherein an exterior shape of a receiving space formed by the inner first side wall and the first lid wall of the lid construction is formed such that they substantially correspond to the shape of an outer circumference of the electronic apparatus.
 11. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is a mobile phone, a music player or a charging station of a mobile phone, of cordless headphones or other electronic apparatuses comprising at least one chargeable accumulator for current supply.
 12. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the additional receiving space of the lid construction is formed for receiving accessory elements of the portable electronic apparatus.
 13. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the storage container is integrally formed.
 14. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the side wall, the bottom wall and the lid construction are composed of an elastic material.
 15. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the side wall, the bottom wall and the lid construction are composed of a silicone material or a plastic material.
 16. The storage container according to claim 4, wherein the shape and/or a diameter of the receiving opening are variable by exertion of pressure on the lid construction.
 17. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the storage container is configured and arranged for storing at least one portable electronic apparatus in at least the main receiving space as well as for storing at least one accessory element in the additional receiving space of the lid construction.
 18. The storage container according to claim 17, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is a mobile phone, a music player or a charging station of a mobile phone, of cordless headphones or other electronic apparatuses comprising at least one chargeable accumulator for current supply.
 19. The storage container according to claim 17, wherein the accessory element is a replacement part of the electronic apparatus, a retaining and positioning element of a headphone and/or an electronic and/or electrical element connectable to a charging station for accumulators storable in the storage container. 